Governor Opens Application for Career Technical Education Capital Funding for Schools
BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that applications are now open for comprehensive high schools and career technical schools to apply for $60 million in Career Technical Education (CTE) program capital grants.
This multi-year funding will support over 2,000 new CTE seats through expansion of existing and new career tech programs, as well as for the purchase and installation of training equipment.
The capital grants, made possible through Fair Share funding, will enable new programs that meet the workforce needs of regional employers. Projects will be prioritized that offer more CTE programs at night and on weekends to serve more high school students and adult learners and in geographic areas that have long waitlists and limited regional capacity.
"We know there is a strong demand for Career Technical Education because it is proven to give students the skills they need to succeed in today's workforce. This capital investment project answers the call for more seats and additional program hours across the state," said Governor Maura Healey. "This multi-year expansion plan reflects our commitment to growing career pathways, closing workforce gaps, and improving career readiness for students across the state."
As part of the administration's "Reimagining High School" initiative, CTE programs equip students with the skills they need to succeed in today's job market through development of innovative, applied learning opportunities that align with current industry needs and provide students with high quality learning experiences that enable them to see and understand their future career paths, including continued education.
CTE programs are offered during the regular school day at approved comprehensive high schools and dedicated career technical schools. Career technical schools and comprehensive high schools also offer CTE Partnership Programs "After Dark" that take place after the school day to provide additional public-school students with access to career technical education.?Further, CTE schools provide adult learners, especially unemployed and underemployed individuals from underserved populations and underrepresented groups, with career training and technical skills to meet the needs of Massachusetts employers through the Career Technical Initiative?(CTI).
"With this investment, we're giving schools the resources they need to train the next generation of skilled workers and to support adult learners who are ready to acquire new skills or change careers," said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. "CTE programs are a proven pathway to good jobs and this expansion project will allow more students to thrive and reach their full potential."
The Healey-Driscoll Administration has been expanding access to career-connected education in a variety of ways through their Reimagining High School initiative. Over the past two and a half years, the administration has approved 49 new CTE programs, supporting 2,334 additional students. Also, Governor Healey's?BRIGHT Act?includes $100 million for Skills Capital grants that help high schools,?colleges and educational institutions upgrade technology and instructional lab spaces, expand career programs, and increase the capacity of workforce training programs. These efforts build on expansions the administration has made to?Early College programs,?Innovation Career Pathways,?work-based
learning?opportunities and?My Career and Academic Plan (MyCAP).
Massachusetts comprehensive high schools and dedicated career tech schools that operate CTE programs interested in this grant program can apply online. The deadline for submissions is October 30, 2025, by 3:00 PM. An opportunity will be available later this fall for comprehensive high schools that do not yet have a CTE program to apply for planning grants.
